EDOMA EMANNA JOANNA

Self-medication, defined as the use of medication without medical consultation, is prevalent among women of reproductive age globally and presents notable heath concerns. This study assess the knowledge, practices and influencing factors of self-medication among women aged 15-49 in Uselu Community, Benin City, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, data were gathered from 323 respondents through a structured questionnaire, with findings analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that 86.69% of respondents had prior knowledge of self-medication, often acquired from internet/social media, family, and friends. Despite this awareness, 95.67% had engaged in self-medication within the past year, primarily for minor ailments such as headaches, menstrual pain, and other minor ailments. Analgesics (41.17%) and antibiotics (39.32%) were the most commonly used drugs, with many respondents self-medicating frequently. Influential factors included financial constraints, convenience, ease of access to over-the-counter medications, and long wait times at healthcare facilities. Additionally, social and cultural factors played a role, as family influence and traditional beliefs often guided self-medication practices. This study highlights significant risks associated with this practice, including adverse drug reactions, potential for antimicrobial resistance, and complications in pregnancy, thereby underscoring the need for educational interventions.Recommendations include increasing awareness of the dangers of unsupervised medication use and strengthening regulatory frameworks to limit easy access to potentially harmful drugs. This research study contributes to public health by emphasizing the need for targeted health education and accessible healthcare services to mitigate the adverse effects of selfmedication within this demographic. Keywords: Self-medication, knowledge, women of reproductive age, Nigeria, practice